/
Slowly closing her eyes, Rubette recalled.
Prominent entertainers and models moved in her clothes, carrying bags and posing nicely.
The camera lens reproduced those images repeatedly, and at the end.
The secret of a different class,
Blanc de Juliet
Was a nice promotional text.
“Kyaa!”
New York Broadway, Manhattan Penn Station, Hong Kong Causeway Bay Times Square…
The promotional video for <Blanc de Juliet>, a luxury brand of Juliet Karenina, who was at her peak popularity in both East and West, showed off its prestige by appearing on billboards in the center of each country every day.
Behind Rubette, smiling while looking in the mirror, Wishit approached.
“What else this time?”
“Wha do you mean? I’m a boss who’s working hard today.”
Rubette, ready to go out with silk gloves on both hands, turned around and clapped her hands.
“Follow me.”
***
A small but fruitful estate outside the capital, Millen.
The scenery of Millen, also called the city of the new culture, had a very different feel from the centre of the capital.
A neat street finished with white bricks.
An unfamiliar building style and 55-inch screens installed on every street.
‘Gorgeous! This is like a future sci-fi city!”
It was worthwhile to drive for two hours in a horse-drawn carriage.
<Is the place you wanted to visit the Magic Tower?> Looking up at the majestic white tower in the center of Millen, Wishit next to me asked.
<Mm. The screen… No, I’m going to buy a video board.>
And today’s destination was the Magic Tower.
As a private institution independent of the imperial family, it was basically a place that studied the magic of spirits and commercialized ‘magic tools’ made by combining magic and tools.
My purpose today was to purchase a video board, a magic tool that could only be obtained from the Magic Tower.
It was a visit for an electronic billboard advertising.
<It wouldn’t be easy.>
Leaving Wishit’s worries behind, I proudly entered the tower.
Access to the tower was free, whether for commoners or aristocrats.
But.
“What brings you here?”
From here on, it wouldn’t be easy.
The pretty receptionist at the first-floor desk with neatly tied hair asked, and I said, trying to look as mature as possible.
“I came to buy magic tools.”
“Yes, we will help you with identification first.”
A palm-sized video board installed on the desk detected my face.
The guide smiled and greeted me.
“Thank you for visiting. Princess Rubetria Diollus. What kind of magic tools did you come here to purchase?”
“A video board.”
“I’m sorry, Princess, the video board you are looking for is a Grade II magic tool. You can’t buy it immediately, so if you fill out the order form here, we’ll let you know once it is in production within two weeks.” The receptionist answered the manual with a friendly smile and gave me a piece of paper and a pen lying on the desk.
If I write a very personal reason for purchase, such as ‘business video promotion’ in this form, it will be discarded without being read.
I cleared my throat once and said.
“It’s a bit vague to fill out an order form. Is it possible to have a personal consultation with the manager instead?”
“I’m sorry, Princess. But if you can’t order through the order form, we can’t help you make the tool.”
“Yes, I know that. I’d like to have a conversation with the manager…”
The guide looked perplexed while I was smiling as sorry as I could to look like a real customer.
“What’s the matter?”
The office door behind the desk opened, and a middle-aged man came out.
His sharp eyes, monocle glasses, and indigo blue mustache make him look very strict.
That man seemed to be the sales manager I was looking for.
Seeing that he asked me straight away, he must have been watching the situation at the desk in the office.
“Hello. I’m Rubettria Diollus. I have a question for you about ordering magic tools. Could you spare me some time if you’re not busy?”
The manager lifted his glasses once, then nodded as if telling me to come into the office.
‘Nice!’
***
“Then, Goodbye.”
“No, look-”
Bang-!
The door closed.
The manager even showed useless manners by seeing me off the Tower’s lobby and closing the door in front of my face.
I felt bitter and rubbed the tip of my nose.
<He said no, right?>
<He’s a funny guy. He listened to the whole story until the end, as if he were going to receive my order, and eventually kicked me out. He should’ve kicked me out quickly if he had no intention to hear me out instead of wasting my golden time.>
<Grade II magic tools are restricted from personal use unless for public interest.>
<Who doesn’t know that? That’s why I called the manager to make a deal.>
<You failed fiercely.>
<There are things that money and power can’t do…>
When I had a headache…
“… Princess?”
“Your Highness?”
A face I never thought I’d be able to see here… was here.
It was Lark.
I asked with my eyes wide open. “Why are you visiting Millen?”
“Of course because I have business at the Tower.”
“What kind of business?”
“I need a list of magic tools buyers.”
Seeing me puzzled, Lark bent down and whispered, “The forces trying to undermine my aide was sending projector stones as evidence. They must’ve bought a lot of it, so I was wondering if I could catch something by looking at the buyer list.”
“Oh, you were working hard in your own way.”
“Of course. But what brings you here?”
“Ah, I’m going to buy some magic tools.”
“What kind of tools?”
“Video board,” I said with my eyes shining in anticipation.
“The video board is a Grade II magic tool, so it must be difficult to order. People don’t usually get permission to make it.”
“That’s what it is.”
“You can’t use projector stones?”
“Yes. It’s intended to be installed and advertised on the boutique street of Lunten. The projector stones are too small, and we need permission to display them.”
“What advertisement? Is it that place- What was it called again… <Blanc de Ruby>? You’re not going to release a promotional video for that store, are you?”
“…”
I answered in silence in front of Lark, who was right on the mark.
He stared at me and then opened his mouth with suspicion.
“Are you running your feet like this to help out a regular store’s sales?”
“… Mm-hmm.”
“The momentum of that shop in the capital these days is no joke. The nobles have forgotten their pride and camped out in front of the store since dawn.”
Lark circled me, stroking his chin like a detective in reasoning.
“People who book now may be able to get their clothes only next summer. Alas, Lissy was lucky enough to be able to order the dress right away. She took the business card that you gave me.”
“That’s great. You’re such a great brother.”
“Thanks to you, Lissy said thank you and kissed both of my cheeks about 10 times.”
“It must have been nice.”
“Hmm…”
Soon Lark, who faced me, asked with a smile.
“You seem to be doing business. Are you the owner of that store, Princess?”
“Ha ha ha ha ha…”
I smiled face-to-face with the quick-witted Lark and said, “Shh.” and put my index finger on my lips.
“Is it a secret?”
“Yes.”
“All right.” Lark chuckled and added, “It’s good to see you working hard. But, to display a promotional video for the store…”
He shook his head as he spoke.
“You can’t make a Grade II magic tool for such personal use. The Tower won’t allow it.”
“Right, yes.”
“The character of the tower owner… Well, all the previous tower owners were like that.”
“I see.”
“Besides, the Tower is an independent institution from the imperial family, which is very arbitrary. Don’t you see that the distribution of convenient, high-quality magic tools is extremely limited, and they’re only used for the development of Millen?”
“Ah, yes.”
“At a time when the Tower is still restricting the introduction of new technology to even the imperial family, you want to promote your private store?”
What’s this? Are you making fun of me?
I listened silently and glared at Lark secretly.
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
Lark pouted his lips and clicked his tongue in pity.
Looking at his expression…
‘I was wondering if I could use the crown prince’s name for help, but I don’t think it’s possible.’
It seemed like I had to put an end to my hopes.
There was no way the crown prince, who had a clear distinction between public and private, abused his power to take care of me.
It was natural in Lark’s personality, but still, I felt a little embarrassed, so I turned around.
“Then I’ll be on my way. See you.”
“Pfft.”
You’re even laughing at me?
I put strength into my steps and turned away with a heart full of frustration.
“Wait a minute.”
“Oh, what is it?”
I turned around to see Lark’s hand grabbing my shoulder, with a playful smile all over his face.
“You came all the way here and ran into the crown prince, and you’re just going to go back without any profit? You don’t even ask for help?”
“Will you help me if I ask you to?”
“Of course. I’m a man who’s ready to respond sincerely to your request unless you ask me to sell you the country.”
“Really?”
When I, who was sullen, rejoiced, Lark even burst into laughter as if it was funny.
“But no matter how much you may be, I can’t help but notice…”
If I could use the crown prince, it would be good for me, but it would be a burden for Lark.
“If you abuse your power, your reputation will suffer. I’m in a hurry, but I don’t want to burden you for nothing.”
“You’re nice to even think about that.”
Lark grinned carefreely and pulled my arm.
“Let’s go for now.”
***
Oh, dear.
‘Let’s go means… going to the owner of the Tower?’
I sat next to Lark, tense, and looked around.
This was the top floor of the Tower.
The office of Shane van Rashmagh Descarde, the owner of the Magic Tower.
The view from the wide window was amazing because it was the top floor, but strangely, it felt suffocating.
Well, that’s the way it was.
The sky-high ceiling, magnificent bookcases that filled the walls, and the scenery of a glass cabinet full of magical tools…
‘This is obviously a room for researchers.’
By the way, I couldn’t believe I was actually going to see the person who was obviously busier than the emperor in this empire.
The crown prince’s name is the best.
“What is it? Why are you here?”
As the voice filled with annoyance caught my attention, I turned my gaze and looked toward the source.